Ban "gravely concerned" about deterioration of situation in Ukraine

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has expressed serious concern over the deterioration of the situation in the Crimea region of Ukraine.

That's according to his spokesperson, Martin Nesirky, who read a statement to the press on Saturday.

Nesirky said Mr. Ban Ki-moon continued to closely follow the seriously and rapidly unfolding events in Ukraine.

"The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the full respect for and preservation of the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. He calls for an immediate restoration of calm and direct dialogue between all concerned to solve the current crisis. The Secretary-General will be speaking with President Vladimir Putin of Russia shortly about the situation in Ukraine."

The UN Security Council is holding an urgent meeting about the crisis for the second day in a row.

The Secretary-General is on his way to Europe and has delegated his deputy to brief the Council on developments in Ukraine, Nesirky added.